Coin-controlled vending or actuating mechanism.



H. WAIIKER'.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 15, IQH.

Patented Mayll, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1..

W. H WALKER.

COIN CONTROLLED VENDING 0R ACTUATING MECHAMSM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 15, 1914.

hm gwa Patented May 11, 1915 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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COIN-CONTROLLED VENDING 0R ACTUATING MECHANISM.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May M, 1915.

Application filedJl'Ia-y 15, 1914. Serial No. 838,818.

T all whom it may concern Be itknown that I, WALTER H. WALKER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Binghamton, in the county of Broome and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Coin-Controlled Vending or Actuating Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to coin controlled vending or actuating mechanism, the primary object of the invention being to provide a mechanism of this kind in which the operating element, normally restrained from action by a dog or detent, is adapted to be released for a predetermined extent of motion upon the deposit of a proper coin and the actuation of devices adapted to be coupled by the coin for releasing the dog or detent, whereby a predetermined extent of motion may be transmitted from the main operating element to the parts which are to receive motion therefrom.

, A further object of the invention is to provide a coin controlled mechanism of the character described which is proof against fraudulent manipulation, and which may be set for operation upon the deposit of one or a series of coins.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a coin controlled motor for actuating mechanism which may be employed for dispensing various connnodities or articles, and for various other purposes.

The invention consists of the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts herein fully described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation of a coin controlled actuating mechanism embodying my invention, showing in full and dotted lines the dog or detent in normal or releasing positions. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section through the device. Fig, 3 is a sectional plan view on the line 33 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a horizontal transverse section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse section on the line 55 of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a detail transverse section through the coin chute. -Fig. 7 is a perspective view of one of the plungers. Fig. .8 is a similar view of the detent.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a suitable frame or casing, supporting an axis 2, carrying a revoluble motion transmitting wheel or element 3, which may be motion to .the mechanism or device to be operated thereby and has a series of spaced peripheral cam portions or surfaces 5 separated by slots 6, the rear end of each cam surface being formed with a stop shoulder 7 and the forward end of each cam surface being formed with a beveled surface 8.

The wheel is normally held from rotation by a curved dogor' pawl 9 having an end portion 10 for engagement with the shoulders and a curved or beveled surface 11 to ride over the beveled surface 8, the said dog or detent being pivotally mounted upon the frame or casing, as-shown at 12, to tilt into and out of the slot 6. When the dog is in the full line position shown in Fig. 1 and engages a shoulder 7 the wheel 3 is held from rotation, or when the dog is tilted upwardly to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 1 the wheel is freed for rotation between adjacent slots 6, the curved surface of the dog riding upon the outer face of the intervening cam 5. A stop 13 is provided upon the casing to engage the rear face of the dog and limit its extent of movement to of a small coin, such as a penny, said coin will drop out through the slot 16, thus preventing its passage to the motion transmitting mechanism. In the bottom wall of the guide is formed a coin outlet 17 disposed at a point in advance of the delivery end of the chute, through which the deposited coin 18 enters the guide. The coin 18 drops finally through this outlet 17 into the bottom of the casing, in which it may be received and from which it may be removed in any preferred manner. A primary actuating device is provided comprising a primary plunger-'19 carrying at its outer end a knob or suitable operating device 20. Theenlarged tubular head 21, slidably movable in the rear end of the guide tube 14 and formed with a chamber or recess 22. This plunger is normally held in a retracted position by means of a coiled spring 23 surrounding the body thereof between an abutment flange 24 at the rear end of the guide 14 and a collar 25 on the plunger. This collar is adjustable to regulate the tension of the spring and is adapted to be fixed in adjusted position by a set screw 26. A secondary plunger 27 is slidably mounted in the inner or rear portions of the guide 14 and extends outwardly therefrom and is pivotally connected at its innermost end with the dog or detent 9, as shown at 28. The inner end of said'plunger 27 is formed with an enlarged head 29, and surrounding the body portion of said plunger between said head and the adjacent end of the casing is a coiled spring 30, acting to hold the plunger in normal, forwardly projected position, in whichit holds the dog 9 in looking or detaining position. The head 29 of the plunger 27 is of a form and size to telescope freely within the chamber head 21 of the primary plunger 19.

By referring to Fig. 2 it will be seen that when the parts are in normal position the inner end of the head. 29 of the plunger 19 lies just in rear of the line of the coin inlet in the tube14, While the head 29 of the plunger 27 lies in spaced relation to the head 21 and on the opposite side of the line of the coin inlet, but inadvance of the coin outlet 17 so that a coin of proper denomination passing through the chute 15 may enter the space between the plunger heads so as to be held from discharge through the outlet 17, the plunger head 29 guarding said outlet. The inserted coin will thus form a coupling connection between the two plungers, so that when the plunger 19 is forced inwardly a determined range of inward motion will be impartedto the plunger 27, both plungers moving against resistance of their springs 23 and 30, whereby the dog 9 will be retracted, allowing the wheel 3 to be set into motion. The inward movement of the plungers in the manner described shifts the coin from a point in line with the coin inlet to a pointin line with the coin "outlet 17, so that immediately upon the release of the plunger 19 the coin being no longer held clamped against the plunger head 29, will drop downward through the outlet 17 and free the secondary plunger 27 for retraction.

. When the plunger 27 is forced rearwardly in the manner described, it tilts the dog 9 to retracted position, thus freeing the wheel 3 for rotation, the dog upon the release of the plungers riding in contact with the cam surface 5 between adjacent slots 6 in the direction of rotation of the wheel and holding the plunger 27 from full retraction until thenext slotin the direction of rotation is reached whereupon the dog will spring automatically into engagement with said slot under the action of the spring 30, thus againlocking the wheel 3 from movement. If the plunger 19 should be forced inwardly-without the prior deposit of a proper coin, it will be understood that thehead 21 will simply telescope over the head 29, thus preventing the actuation of the plunger 27 The gear 3 may be employed for transmitting motion to a serving device for serving or dispensing all kinds of goods or articles in solid, liquid or package form, for

dispensing tickets, operating change making devices, or for communicating motion to any type of vending or service performing mechanisms. I provide a mechanism for controlling and operating mechanisms of the stated character which may be adapted for manipulation upon the deposit'of one or more coins of any prescribed denomination, and is effectivefor its intended purpose, reliable and efficient in operation, and

susceptible of being manufactured and sold at a comparatively low cost. The actuating plunger within said casing, a spring for yieldingly holding said plunger from movement and returning the same after actuation to normal position, a bell-crank detent pivotally coupled to said plunger and having a toothed portion to en age and cooperate with said notches and segmental cam surfaces, a second plunger movable within the casing and adapted to normally telescope with the first-named plunger andto be coupled thereto by a. deposited coin, means for spring for opposing motion of the secondnamed plunger and returning the same to normal position, and means for applying power to the second-named lunger;

In testimony whereof I a my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WALTER H. WALKER.

Witnesses:

Aucosrus Bassoon, Mnnnosn M. LATHROP.

introducing a coin between said plungers, a 

